Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/1992 City Council 004 ;4¥' MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1992 The Special SessiOn of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 16th day of September, 1992 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William W. Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Billy Sharp, Councilman Present Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Present and with seven present, a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE 1992-93 PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET James England gave an overhead presentation recapping the changes made at the last work session. Mr. England fielded several questions regarding the tax rate, specifically addressing the roll back rate, when a public hearing may be required and the publication of the effective tax rate. The Council discussed the financing of capital expenditures, noting that in two years the $480,000 for the radio system will be paid off and this year's capitals will be less than $100,000 there is not a large impact on the budget. Mr. England reviewed the Stewart Creek Park Fund with the council. Council discussed charging back administrative fees from this fund to offset expenses in the General Fund. Mr. Hall said it would be a very small amount of money. Council generally agreed it is better to keep the money in the Park Fund and spend it on improvements to encourage more use of the park, thus increasing revenues. Mayor Manning said he believes it would beneficial to engage a professional to prepare a Master Plan for Stewart Creek Park to be sure we are making the best use of this area. Councilman Marks cautioned the council about accepting plans drawn up by professionals who may have a different idea for the use of the land. Bill Hall stated that with the reductions in personnel, other cuts in the budget, the review of expenditures and revenues on September 15, the budget is being presented with a Fund Balance in every fund of the city. Councilman Lynch noted we are still transferring $375,000 from the land fund and the meter deposit fund. Mr. Hall agreed, but reminded the council that the original budget called for $735,000 in transfers. Councilman Lynch asked if the water tower re-painting is included in the financing proposal, and Mr. Hall said that is a capital project for which money is available, going on to say the account from which 004545 that money would be taken was intended for utility repairs or improvements. Mr. Hall said capital projects would have to be financed separately from capital expenditures. There followed a general discussion regarding the overall budget. Mayor Manning asked the impact if $3000.00 was put back into capitals for the Fire Department intercom, stating that he has been told that the current rescue tool could be rehabilitated and that the SCBA bottles and the intercom are of more value than the rescue tool. Councilmen Marks and Sharp said they had been told the same thing. Councilman Lynch noted that these comments had come from outside sources not the Department Head and that they were not made during a budget work session. Councilman Bogan said the rescue tool is hydraulic equipment with very little to wear out, plus it is not used very often. Councilman Dillard said we have already chosen what will be approved, based on the Fire Chief's input, noting we need to be sure we spend the money in the best manner. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding the air tanks and whether they have been requested because of safety reasons or simply for convenience. Mayor Manning said he would like to see $3500.00 put back in for the intercom. After a brief discussion, there was a general consensus to add the money for the intercom back to the capital expenditures. 8:45 Recess p.m. - 8:50 p.m. Executive Session 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE 6252-17, V.A.C.S., SECTION 2G REGARDING PERSONNEL, TO-WIT: A. 1992-93 BUDGET PROPOSALS 10:55 p.m. Reconvene in Open Session Mayor Manning asked if everyone was satisfied with the budget as presented. Councilman Bogan said he does not believe taxes have been increased enough, stating he would be happy with a $.04 increase, but that he can live with the $.02 increase. Councilman Marks said he can live with the proposed budget, although he would like to see the city hire more firemen. Councilman Sharp said he is happy with the proposed budget as long as Fire Station No. 2 is re-opened, but doesn't think more firemen are needed right now. Councilman Agnew agreed, although he did express concern about transferring money from the land fund. The Councilman said he knows the problems cannot be corrected in one year, but he would not object to another $.01 added to the taxes, as long as Fire Station No. 2 is re-opened. Councilman Dillard said we need to be looking to the future, we must stop taking money from our savings and we must increase revenue to do that, noting the only way to do that is to increase taxes. Going on, Councilman Dillard said staff has done a commendable job on the budget, but there are still a lot of needs and wants by the citizens. Councilman Dillard went on to say he doesn't think taxes have been raised enough, that he agrees with the opening of Fire Station No. 2. Councilman Sharp agreed, stating he could live with a $.03 or $.04 increase. Councilman Dillard continued stating we cannot look at the past, we have to look to the future. Councilman Lynch said now is the time to address a tax increase not in 2 more years, stating that a $.07 increase would eliminate the need to transfer any money from the savings accounts, and $.09 increase would allow us to re-paint the water tower and a $.10 increase would outfit a second ambulance for Station No. 2. Councilman Dillard agreed stating people (citizens) have to understand what we have done already to get to this position, and that services have to be paid for. After lengthy discussion, Mayor Manning asked for a consensus on the tax increase which was as followed: Bogan - $.04, Marks - $.02, Lynch - $.10, Sharp - $.05, Agnew - $.05-$.06, Manning- $.04. All agreed that the over 65 exemption should be allowed. Mr. Hall said he would check on what the property tax code allows regarding that. After further discussion, another consensus was asked for, which was as follows: Bogan - Prefer $.04 but will go with $.05 Marks - $.02 we must be realistic Lynch - $.09 Sharp - $.05 Agnew - $.05 Manning - $.05 Dillard - $.08 - $.10 After lengthy discussion, Mayor Manning stated that at this time, there is a majority of Council in agreement with a $.05 tax increase and instructed the City Secretary to change the publication notice to reflect that increase. The Mayor told the council that the budget and tax rate will be discussed at the September 21, 1992 council meeting and they can express there opinion at that meeting. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 11:40 p.m. ' ' . anning, Mayor AT-FEST: Patti A. Hicks, CMC/AAE City Secretary 4